Published: March 23, 2009 02:41 pm      

Judge nixes Pittsburgh-area sex offender limits

PITTSBURGH — A federal judge has voided a county ordinance that would have restricted where registered sex offenders may live in the Pittsburgh area.

U.S. District Judge Gary Lancaster’s ruling, issued Friday and posted online Monday, says the ordinance conflicts with state laws meant to help rehabilitate sex offenders and reintegrate them into society.

Allegheny County Council passed the ordinance in October 2007 banning sex offenders from living within a half mile of schools, licensed child care facilities, community centers and public parks.

The American Civil Liberties Union says the ordinance amounted to after-the-fact punishment and that offenders will have virtually no place to live in the county.

The county hasn’t said if it will appeal.